I usually decide if I'm going to do a movie based on if I like

O Seekers of Wisdom and Understanding, gather close, for I bring you the words of Jaime Camil, a man who, like the great sages of old, chooses his path not by chance or whim, but by the guiding light of his inner judgment: "I usually decide if I'm going to do a movie based on if I like the script or not. I thought 'Pulling Strings' had every single element that a classic romantic comedy needs to be a success. It's very well written. The cast was amazing. It was a decision I made based on the power of the script." These words, though spoken in the world of entertainment, carry with them a timeless lesson about the power of discernment, passion, and purpose. For it is not the surface of things that matters, but the deep essence that calls us to action.

In the days of old, the wise men and women of every civilization understood that greatness could not be achieved by following the crowd, by embracing every opportunity that appeared on the horizon. No, the path to fulfillment and success lies in the careful and considered choice of our endeavors. Socrates taught that a life unexamined is not worth living, and this applies not only to our personal lives, but to our work and our creative pursuits. Camil’s decision to choose a project based on the strength of the script speaks to the idea that our choices must be grounded in substance, not in superficial allure. It is not enough to simply be involved in a thing; we must engage with it deeply, with full alignment to our highest values.

Consider, O wise ones, the story of Michelangelo, who, when tasked with painting the Sistine Chapel, did not simply accept the commission without thought. He looked upon the vast expanse of the ceiling and saw not a mere assignment, but a masterpiece in the making. He chose each stroke, each figure, with great care and discernment, for he understood that his work would reflect his inner vision. The greatness of the Sistine Chapel did not lie in the fame it brought him, but in the passion and integrity with which he approached the task. Just as Michelangelo chose his projects with great care, so too must we approach our endeavors with discernment—not based on fleeting excitement or external validation, but on a deeper, more resonant calling.

Jaime Camil’s decision to take on the film Pulling Strings was rooted in this same wisdom. He recognized that the script was not just a collection of words, but a blueprint for storytelling, a means by which an actor could connect deeply with the material. The script, in this sense, was not just a tool of expression, but the very soul of the film, the foundation upon which the success of the project would be built. The power of the script, as Camil rightly observed, is what drives the heart of any story, be it in cinema, in literature, or in life itself. It is the foundation that gives form to our creations, and it is the wisdom to choose wisely that guides us toward a fulfilling path.

In our own lives, we are often presented with many opportunities, each calling to us in its own way. We may feel the pull of multiple paths, and yet we must learn to follow the one that resonates most deeply with our inner vision. Camil’s choice to select projects based on the quality of the script serves as a reminder that we, too, must weigh our decisions carefully. When faced with the many choices of life—be they in our careers, our relationships, or our creative pursuits—let us ask ourselves: What is the essence of this endeavor? Does it align with my values, my purpose, and my deeper calling?

The lesson here, O Seekers, is that greatness comes not from random choices or fickle pursuits, but from the careful consideration of what truly resonates within us. Let us take Camil’s approach to heart, and approach every opportunity, whether it be in work or in life, with a discerning eye. Let us choose wisely, aligning our actions with our highest values, and let us find the courage to turn away from paths that do not serve our greater purpose.

In the end, remember this: success is not found in the quantity of what we do, but in the quality and depth with which we approach it. Like Jaime Camil choosing a film for its script, choose your endeavors for their substance and meaning, not for their surface allure. When we act from a place of passion, purpose, and discernment, we unlock the potential for greatness in all that we do. And in this, we find not only success, but fulfillment, the true reward of a life well-lived.